England Women have earned their first ever World Cup knockout victory, with a 2-1 win over Norway.

Isabell Herlovsen had the first good chance of the match after 12 minutes, but England keeper Karen Bardsley made the one-on-one save.

Kristine Minde then had another chance for Norway, but this time Claire Rafferty made the block. The Norwegians continued to push and Ada Hegerberg headed wide 10 minutes later.

England nearly took the lead after 32 minutes, when captain Steph Houghton headed over the bar from a corner.

Lucy Bronze gifted Hegerberg a chance before half time when she misjudged a back-pass to let the Norwegian in one-on-one. Once again though, Bardsley made the stop.

England could have taken the lead in first-half stoppage time. First, Houghton's volley was blocked before Karen Carney shot wide.

Norway broke the deadlock in the 54th minute when Solveig Gulbrandsen headed into the net from a corner.

They were not ahead for long though. Houghton, who had threatened from corners throughout the match, headed into the back of the net after Fara Williams's corner.

With 14 minutes remaining, Bronze curled the ball into the net from 20 yards to give England the lead.

Hegerberg had a good chance to send the match to extra time in the 88th minute, but she shot wide from inside the penalty area.

England will play hosts Canada in the quarter-final.

Written by
Jonathan McIntosh